Thread by @Maveli_praja

A personal story which I would like to share at this time.

I was working as a post doctoral fellow in neurology in a reputed hospital at Trivandrum.
One particular patient came to us from my mother's native place. Very close to our ancestral home, in a village at the outskirts.

https://twitter.com/Maveli_praja/status/1272216434035142657

Upon finishing the disease related queries, examination and issuing of prescription, I revealed them my native home details.

First question she asked was "ആ തലയ്ക്കു സുഖമില്ലാത്ത സ്ത്രീ താമസിക്കുന്ന വീടല്ലേ" (isnt the same home where a mad lady is staying).

My relative staying their had a mood disorder, with depressive episodes.

It was shocking to realise the insight of society towards a person with mental illness.

Until and unless, we wipe out this "stigma", suicides will happen. Families will break.

There are hundreds of non-celebrities committing suicide due to same reasons.

For eg- a patient with panic attack due to an acute stressor. He might have gone to a psychiatrist and overcome the issue.

Now whoever gets to know that he has been once at the psychiatrist will be prejudiced, We(including me) will gossip, "dont you know about him"

Sorry for a long thread.

Initiate a discussion among your friends,folks.

As a developed society,this is the best thing we can offer them.

#socialstigma
#mentalhealth